The unexpected often comes: Austria’s Athlete of the Year 2023, Eva Pinkelnig, who only returned to the ski jumping circus on Saturday in Garmisch (with fourth place) due to knee irritation, has at the end of the “Two Nights Tour” – Nika Prevc (Slo) secured the overall victory – celebrated her tenth World Cup success.
The 35-year-old from Vorarlberg was unbeatable with distances of 132.5 and 129 meters on the Schattenbergschanze in Oberstdorf. Pinkelnig prevailed ahead of Abigail Strate (Can) and Schildorner Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (SC Waldzell), who had even led following the first round.
Image: gepa
“I have to admit that I was pretty nervous when I was the last one standing at the top in the final,” admitted the third-placed Upper Austrian, who has been looking up once more since the European Games in Zakopane in the summer (double gold). The second World Cup triumph seemed within reach; Seifriedsberger celebrated her debut victory almost eleven years ago in Sapporo (February 3, 2013).
Now she managed to achieve the 14th individual podium place in her career, the first since Nizhny Tagil 2016. It’s been a long, long time. “I’ve had difficult times – including injuries. But they’re part of sport. At the moment I’m super happy, I’m just enjoying it. I’m really having fun, the mood in our team is good. I know that I can jump easily “And the ski jump in Oberstdorf suits me,” explained the Innviertler woman.
Only the backdrop in the Allgäu can still be improved. While the men’s tour competition was completely sold out on Friday with 25,500 visitors, only around 4,000 attended the women’s event today.
Pinkelnig still found the atmosphere cool. “Family and friends were there – it’s a great feeling. Something like that inspires you,” reported the overall World Cup winner last season.
She is (almost) the “old” once more. “We have worked very hard in the last eight weeks. It is incredible to come back like this,” emphasized Pinkelnig. In any case, the drum for the upcoming home game has been stirred with four athletes in the top ten (Sara Marita Kramer came ninth, Lisa Eder tenth). It continues in Villach on Wednesday and Thursday.
ePaper
Author
Alexander Zambarloukos
Sports editor
Alexander Zambarloukos
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